Swimming Calorie Burn Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the swimming calorie burn calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Calories Burned

calories_burned = met_value * 3.5 * weight_kg / 200 * duration_min

Calories per Minute

cal_per_minute = met_value * 3.5 * weight_kg / 200

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
weight_lbsBody Weight(lbs)170
met_valueStroke & Intensity5.8
duration_minDuration(minutes)30
weight_kgDerived value= weight_lbs * 0.453592calculated

How It Works

Swimming Calorie Burn (MET Method)

Calories = MET x 3.5 x Weight(kg) / 200 x Duration(min)

Swimming MET Values

| Stroke | MET | |---|---| | Freestyle (moderate) | 5.8 | | Freestyle (vigorous) | 9.8 | | Backstroke | 4.8 | | Butterfly | 10.3 | | Breaststroke | 5.3 |

Worked Example

A 170 lb person swimming freestyle (moderate) for 30 minutes.

weight_lbs = 170met_value = 5.8duration_min = 30
  1. 01Weight = 77.1 kg
  2. 02Calories = 5.8 x 3.5 x 77.1 / 200 x 30
  3. 03= 235 kcal

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Swimming Calorie Burn Calculator